Spinach & Cheese stuffed Mushrooms

Introduction:

Spinach and mushrooms both being nutritionally rich in their own ways make a very good combination for me.Whenever they are available in abundance especially during winters I find one way or the other to include them in my meals.Spinach and cheese stuffed mushrooms is one such dish that I love to make either as a starter or as a side dish.The dish is simple to make and looks exotic too. Apart from being visually appealing it is delicious too.For all the mushroom lovers below is the recipe.

Recipe

Ingredients:

Button mushrooms( big ones and preferably of same size)
1 cup Spinach blanched and chopped
1 tsp ginger minced
1 tsp garlic minced
2 tbsp finely chopped onions
1 tsp oregano
1 tbsp tomato ketchup(optional)
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp red chili powder
2 tbsp oil
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese (can be increased or reduced as per choice)

Method:

Preparing the mushrooms

Gently remove the stalks of the mushrooms by gently twisting and scoop lightly each mushroom just enough to create space for the filling.
Reserve this to be added in the stuffing.

Preparing the stuffing

In a pan heat oil and fry the onions till they turn translucent.
Add garlic ,cook till it starts leaving a nice aroma.
Add the chopped mushroom stalks.Saute for few seconds and add the tomato ketchup followed by spinach.
Season the mixture with salt ,chili powder and herbs and cook till the extra moisture dries up and becomes suitable for stuffing.
Let the mixture cool down and mix in the cheese.
Stuffing for the mushrooms is ready.
Stuff each mushrooms with the filling and brush them with oil.Place them in a baking tray and bake at 180 degree centigrade for 10 minutes or till the cheese melts.They can also be baked in a gas tandoor.
Serve them immediately either as a starter or as a side dish.

Notes:

How to blanch spinach

Boil the cleaned spinach in boiling water with little salt added to it for 2 minutes.Drain and immerse in ice cold water to stop further cooking and preserving the green colour.Drain and squeeze the excess water and is ready to use in a dish.